Vaccinations Start for Ages 65-70 on May 27 and for 60+ on June 7

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The government announced that it will administer the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 13 million people in the first half of the year. This figure is 1 million more than the initial target of 12 million. In the second quarter, the AstraZeneca vaccine eligibility for the elderly has been expanded to those aged 60 and above. There are 84,424 residents aged 60 and over in Gangnam-gu who will receive the vaccine by next month.

Vaccination reservations will be made gradually, starting with the elderly. On the 6th, advance reservations began for 20,628 people aged 70 and above and 708 people with chronic respiratory diseases. Those aged 65 and over can make reservations starting on the 10th, and residents aged 60 and over, as well as kindergarten, daycare, and first- and second-grade elementary school teachers, can make reservations from the 13th.

Reservations can be made through the Gangnam-gu call center or the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) website, where you can select the hospital, date, and time for vaccination.

The vaccination start dates are May 27 for those aged 65 to 70, and June 7 for those aged 60 and above.

Meanwhile, among residents aged 75 and over who are scheduled to be vaccinated by the 26th, 11,933 out of 24,089 eligible individuals have been vaccinated. Recently, as the government adjusted the vaccination pace, Gangnam-gu suspended operations of its second vaccination center (Gangnam Tourism Information Center) on the 6th. It is scheduled to resume on the 19th after reorganization. The first center (Irwon Eco Center) is currently administering only second doses, with new vaccinations starting on the 27th.

According to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although cases are expected to surge this month due to the UK variant, the number of confirmed cases is projected to decline in July as vaccination rates increase.

The report also emphasized that high vaccination rates and adherence to quarantine rules must be combined to control COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Canadian government has allowed the Pfizer vaccine, previously authorized only for those aged 16 and over, to be administered to children aged 12 and above. This measure aims to protect family members at higher risk of complications.

The government expects that completing vaccinations for 13 million people by June will significantly reduce the risk of infection. Residents are urged to trust the government and participate in vaccinations in the designated order for the health of themselves, their families, and their loved ones.

Now, let me explain the current COVID-19 status and key policies in Gangnam-gu.

As of the 7th, Gangnam-gu has reported confirmed cases up to number 2123. Cases 2088, 2094, 2100, 2101, 2103, 2106, 2109, and 2121 were confirmed through contact with confirmed cases from other regions. Cases 2089 to 2091, 2095 to 2097, 2102, 2107, 2111, 2114 to 2116, 2118, and 2119 were confirmed as family members of confirmed Gangnam-gu residents. Cases 2092 and 2093 were confirmed upon entry into the country, while cases 2099 and 2108 were confirmed through contact with confirmed Gangnam-gu residents. Cases 2098, 2104, 2105, 2110, 2112, 2113, 2117, 2120, 2122, and 2123 were confirmed with symptoms such as sputum but their infection routes are unknown and are under epidemiological investigation.

As of the 7th, Gangnam-gu is managing 1,548 self-quarantined individuals, of whom 706 are overseas entrants and 842 are domestic contacts.

The cumulative number of tests conducted at Gangnam-gu Public Health Center screening clinics and temporary screening sites is 398,906. On the 6th, out of 3,766 tested individuals, 31 were overseas entrants and 3,735 were domestic residents.

As of midnight on the 7th, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases was 525, marking the second consecutive day with cases in the 500s. The average daily number of locally transmitted cases over the past week was 573, exceeding the level for social distancing stage 2.5 (nationwide 400?500 or more, or rapid doubling).

Health authorities are concerned about increased gatherings and movement during commemorative days such as Parents' Day and Teachers' Day. They also warn that social fatigue from the prolonged pandemic, relaxed vigilance due to vaccination, and the spread of variants could pose risks.

Residents are urged to heed the health authorities' warning that "movement itself is a risk factor" and to minimize travel this weekend. If planning family gatherings, keep the number to within eight immediate family members, choose less crowded times and places, and strictly follow personal quarantine rules.

Meanwhile, with recent school-related infections continuing, Gangnam-gu is conducting focused inspections on compliance with quarantine rules at local academies, private tutoring centers, and study cafes to ensure student health and safety. Joint special inspections with Seoul City will be conducted on 100 large academies in Daechi-dong until the 23rd.

Since Monday this week, Gangnam-gu has been providing 500,000 KRW support payments to 235 academies and study rooms that closed due to COVID-19.

Dear and respected residents of Gangnam-gu,

Since the start of vaccinations, there has been an increase in improper mask-wearing due to relaxed vigilance and warmer weather. We have already experienced that adherence to daily quarantine rules is the most reliable vaccine during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis. Residents are reminded that even small lapses can lead to large outbreaks and are urged once again to actively comply with the government's extended social distancing measures until the 23rd.